Volunteer

Friends of Laguna Honda – 60 years of enriching life for the residents of Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center.

This page is offered by Friends of Laguna Honda as a courtesy to Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center. If you’re interested in volunteering at the hospital, please see below.

HISTORY OF VOLUNTEERING AT LHHRC

San Francisco has a long and rich history of caring for its citizens in need. Laguna Honda Hospital and Rehabilitation Center (LHHRC) is a big part of that history when it opened as an almshouse for unemployed and homeless men in 1866. Through the years, its focus has changed to meet the needs of the community and it is now a medical facility providing long-term care to the City’s elderly, chronically ill and disabled citizens. Volunteers have always played a significant role at LHHRC.

THE URGENT NEED FOR VOLUNTEERS

Most LHHRC residents lack resources and social support. The hospital’s caring and committed employees are kept busy providing medical care and need help in providing essential social contact. Volunteers bring the life of the city to Laguna Honda’s residents and help the residents be a part of city life. Whether they are helping out on a field trip to the museum or just sitting for an hour and holding a hand, every day the volunteers make a difference in hundreds of lives.

WHY VOLUNTEER

For this reason, the gift of time is the greatest gift that a volunteer can offer. Sitting with a resident and sharing stories is powerful and healing. And, there is so much more that can be done, such as escorting residents to activities, including religious services. There are also plenty of volunteer opportunities that don’t involve direct care. Please see the full list of Volunteer Opportunities and choose to be a part of the City’s tradition of caring for its own.

START VOLUNTEERING

At the end of the orientation, sign up for an interview with a Volunteer Coordinator. Prospective volunteers are interviewed individually to find the best activity for them. Background checks, fingerprinting, ID badges, parking, TB screening and other requirements are also coordinated at this time.